On 02-23-18, at approximately 8:19 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle partially blocking Kenlar Rd. in Big Lake. Investigation revealed the license plates on the vehicle were registered to another. The plates were seized and the vehicle was towed away.

AST is asking the public’s help in locating Matthew Buckalew. Buckalew has an active $1000 felony warrant for probation violation. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, contact troopers at 907-352-5401. Or, you can remain anonymous and provide information through crimestoppers at 745-3333. Crimestopper callers are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment of a felony offender.

The Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys and University of Alaska Fairbanks’ School of Natural Resources and Extension are creating a radon database and public visualization tools to better understand radon potential and identify where elevated levels of radon exist in the State of Alaska.

Indoor exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually in the United States and it is the number-one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Because people can’t see or smell radon, it’s easy to forget that radon can be a problem in homes, schools, and other buildings.

Radon is a decay product of uranium, which naturally occurs in rocks and sediments throughout Alaska. The Environmental Protection Agency’s regional radon zone map highlights much of the Interior, the Matanuska-Susitna region, and Anchorage as having elevated radon potential. Recent testing has shown that many households in Alaska have indoor radon concentrations above the EPA’s action level.

Following a regulatory change that goes into effect today, Alaska employers are no longer allowed to pay less than minimum wage to workers who experience disabilities. In repealing 8 AAC 15.120, Alaska joins New Hampshire and Maryland as the first states in the nation to eliminate payment of subminimum wages for persons with disabilities.

An exemption from paying minimum wage to persons with disabilities has existed for many years, beginning at the federal level with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and in Alaska regulations since 1978. Historically, minimum wage exemptions were considered necessary to help people with disabilities gain employment. Experience over the past two decades has shown that workers with disabilities can succeed in jobs earning minimum wage or more.

“Workers who experience disabilities are valued members of Alaska’s workforce,” said Department of Labor and Workforce Development Acting Commissioner Greg Cashen. “They deserve minimum wage protections as much as any other Alaskan worker.”

On 2/22/18 at approximately 10:28 p.m., Alaska State Troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 1997 Ford F150 for a moving violation. The vehicle failed to yield for several miles and went down a snow machine trail in Houston where AST could no longer follow. The vehicle was recovered down the trail and the driver fled on foot prior to AST arrival. Investigation continues. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact AST through MATCOM at 907 352-5401.

On February 16, 2018 at approximately 10:54 a.m., Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence in Houston for a report of a deceased male. Investigation revealed that Ronald Hill 57 YOA had died in his home of apparent natural causes. There is no evidence of foul play and next of kin have been notified.

On 02/19/2018 at approximately 11:04 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a blue Chevrolet Tahoe on Delroy Road, Houston. Investigation revealed the driver, Alicia McCain age 40 of Willow had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on the original charges of Theft 1st, Forgery 2nd, and Falsifying Business Records. McCain was arrested and transported to Matsu Pretrial where McCain was held on her $1,500 warrant.

On 02/17/2018 at approximately 10:22 p.m., Alaska State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe for a moving violations near mile post 86 of the Parks Highway in Willow. An investigation revealed the driver, Joseph Michael Davis, age 36 of Houston, was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Davis was arrested for DUI, transported and remanded at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer.

On 02/17/18, at approximately 9:59 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence on King Arthur Drive in Houston for a report of a theft from a residence. Investigation revealed unknown person(s) entered the residence and stole property. Investigation continues.

The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation was ordered by a federal commission yesterday to evaluate Port MacKenzie as the terminus for a proposed liquefied natural gas facility.

FERC LETTER

In a Feb. 15 letter, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered AGDC to answer 14 questions on Port MacKenzie and to provide an environmental and engineering analysis of “the site identified by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough on January 9, 2018 at Port MacKenzie, as well as the corresponding pipeline route to the site.”

MAYOR HALTER

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Vern Halter said it is unfortunate that it took a FERC order, but the Borough looks forward to working with AGDC. “The Mat-Su Borough fully supports this worthy effort and simply requests that our deep draft port be considered, as promised,” Mayor Halter said.

Emerging and established artists are invited to apply for Alaska State Parks’ third annual Artist-In-Residence Program. Alaska State Parks is excited to expand the program to Kachemak Bay and the Mat-Su this year.

Residencies are available to artists in all types of media, at the following locations:

* The Ernest Gruening Cabin in Juneau, the territorial governor’s summer retreat and on the National Register of Historic Places.

* The beachfront Halibut Cove Ranger Station in Kachemak Bay State Park, across from Homer.

* The Butterfly Lake Host Cabin in the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, part of a previous homestead.

The Matanuska Susitna Borough Fish Creek Conservation Area dog mushing trails located South of Gonder Road near Big Lake are currently OPEN for dog mushing and single track vehicles for grooming purposes only. The Public Notice will be updated at the Gonder Road Kiosk and on the Matanuska Susitna Borough webpage as conditions change.

Please call the Land & Resource Management Division at 861-7863 or if you have any questions.

The Alaska Community Forest Council is offering grants to help celebrate Arbor Day in Alaska on May 21. Grants will be in the $200-$500 range, and can be used to plant trees, shrubs or support other activities that promote Arbor Day in Alaska.